Island-Based Fisheries Management in the U.S. Caribbean Region
The management of fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean region is undergoing a shift towards island-based management rather than species-based. This transition involves steps such as developing environmental assessments, initiating NEPA processes, and drafting new island-based Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). The Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement play crucial roles in analyzing and describing the impacts of the shift. Actions included in the process focus on establishing fishery management units, revising species composition, and setting management reference points. Key milestones include scoping hearings, public preferences for FMP options, and ongoing council discussions towards enhancing fisheries management.
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U.S. Caribbean Island U.S. Caribbean Island- -Based Fisheries Management Management Southeast Regional Office Presented at the 145th CFMC Meeting Based Fisheries September 25, 2024
Timeline of recent island-based actions. Council recommends holding scoping hearings on the idea to manage by island rather than species. Council discusses the scoping hearings outcome. Council staff to develop an outline for the island-based scoping documents and the new FMPs Aug 2012 April 2012 Mar 2013 ? 2011 2012 Council passes a motion to develop a Managing by Island discussion paper. Scoping hearings are held: USVI- Public prefers the three island FMP option. Puerto Rico- Public wants a separate FMP from USVI. Puerto Rico- Let the USVI decide how they want to divide their FMPs. Council staff continues to develop the environmental assessment for shifting management from species- based to island-based. Dec 2012 July 2012 Dec 2011 2
Proposed Steps for Developing Island- Based Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) 1. Develop the Environmental Assessment regarding the shift from species-based to island-based management Completed. 2. Initiate the NEPA process associated with the development of new island-based FMPs. 3. Develop draft island-based FMPs based on Council recommendation. 3
Environmental Assessment (EA) The EA will analyzed the management shift from species- based to island-based FMPs. The EA is the first step in modifying fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. 4
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Will describe and analyze the process of establishing each new island-based FMP. Will analyze the impact to the human environment of possible changes to extant fishery regulations when developing the new island FMPs (e.g., addition or removal of fishery management units). 5
Actions Included in the Draft Island- Base Scoping Documents cuments Establish the fishery management units for the island FMPs. Revise the species composition of the new island FMPs. Establish management reference points (SDC, MSY, ABC, and ACL) if new species are added to the island FMPs. Modify or establish additional management measures. 6
